Since Amazfit used Zepp OS on the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro watch, they started offering real smartwatches after just offering basic smartwatches. Among the features introduced are its own app store, its own digital assistant, OLED screen, the ability to answer phone calls and more.
Now they come with the Amazfit GTR 4 which went on sale in Malaysia last October 5.
Specifications And Design
Amazfit GTR 4
Zepp OS Operating System
Display 1.43″, AMOLED, 466×466 pixels
Tempered glass
Processor ?
RAM?
2.3 GB Internal Load
475 mAh battery
SIM / Telephony No/Yes
Pulse Scanner Sensor, Barometer, SPO2, Menstrual Cycle, Sleep Tracking
NFC None
The operating system is supported Android 7.0 and above
iOS 12.0 and above
Resistance Level 5 ATM
Size 46 x 46 x 10.6 mm / 34 grams
Color Superspeed Black
Vintage Brown Leather
Racetrack Grey
Sale Price RM829
Amazfit GTR 4 comes with a 1.43-inch AMOLED 466 x 466 (326 ppi) screen, which supports Always-On Display (AOD) mode. It is a watch that uses Zepp OS like the GTR 3. There is a rotary knob on the right side of the body. It vibrates like on the Apple Watch but in my opinion the haptic system is not that strong when compared to Apple products. Another physical button is also placed on the right side to be used as a quick access to several applications.
There is a speaker and microphone to make phone calls, listen to notifications and give voice commands to the virtual assistant. The battery has a capacity of 475mAh which can last up to 14 days with normal use or up to 52 days with battery saving mode without GPS.
Among the included sensors are BioTracker 4.0 PPG to detect oxygen concentration in blood, geomagnetic sensor, barometer, altimeter and more. Standard features of GPS support, WiFi 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.0 BLE are also provided.
The watch is made of aluminum with glossy plastic on the bottom panel. It comes in a choice of Superspeed Black (fluoroelastomer watch strap), Vintage Brown Leather (leather watch strap) or Racetrack Gray (nylon watch strap).
In the promotional image placed on their website, the finish of the watch looks luxurious and premium. But the reality is that it looks like a cheap plastic watch when in front of the eyes. This is because the finish on the body is not shiny. The beautiful issue of promotion from this look is a common thing with Amazfit products. A fluoroelastomer watch strap that looks stylish like the Apple Watch Sport Loop watch strap. Like the body, the watch strap isn't as pretty as Apple's with a rougher surface.
Although it looks like a game watch, it still has waterproof capabilities so that it can be taken diving to a pressure level of 5 ATM or up to a depth of 50 meters.
Usage Experience
Amazfit GTR 4 provides a quite satisfactory usage experience. First of all is the Zepp OS interface which looks fresher than the version on the previous Amazfit GTR 3 Pro. It is simpler, easier to understand and user-friendly. Many sections in the settings have been grouped into categories to make them easier to access. I don't need to read the manual first to use this watch because everything is easy to understand with the help of clear icons.
The interface used is said to be its own version, but elements of the RTOS are still visible. There is an interesting feature of pinning favorite widgets to prevent the screen from looking cluttered. This is one of the features that interest me the most in Zepp OS.
I also like the sensor capabilities of this watch which are quite good in monitoring daily activities such as standing, walking or when doing light exercise. The sensor can also read tracking data accurately. For example, the pulse reading recorded is the same as the reading of the same Apple Watch Series 7 used at the same time. The same thing happens with readings of oxygen levels in the blood.
I also noticed the sleep monitoring on this watch gave me the information I wanted very well. The Zepp app detects when I'm in Deep Sleep, Light Speed, REM and detects if I wake up in the middle of the night. The sleep quality score will be given on a scale of 1-100 with higher meaning my sleep is of better quality.
As an experiment, I wore Apple Watch Series 7 and Amazfit GTR 4 simultaneously for a few days to see if there was a difference in data. There is a difference but in such a small range that it can be said not to be significant.
Despite having GPS support oddly enough the watch doesn't have a built-in mapping app. No map app for navigation. But the map can only be accessed on the app in the smartphone only to see the running data. Apple has recently added a back trace feature to track past movements that utilizes the watch's GPS, it would be interesting if Amazfit could offer a feature like this.
More on the activity capabilities, the GTR 4 is pretty great at tracking any exercise I do even if I forget to launch sports mode. For example, when I walk a long distance or run because I'm late arriving somewhere, GTR 4 will continue to activate the walking or running mode. Not only that, it also has a "trainer" that tells me if I'm walking and if I stop for a while it also tells me if I've finished doing the activity and will read out the results of the calories burned, the number of steps and the personal fitness status.
I realized this feature was the same when I used the Apple Watch Series 7 while performing Umrah a few months ago. Apple Watch is able to activate sports mode automatically. However, on the GTR 4, this mode is too sensitive that even after walking less than 500 meters it suggests to me whether I want to activate the sports mode or not. Because these "trainers" aren't smart enough, the battery on the watch runs out easily.
As before, the Zepp application to connect to a smartphone and various additional controls. It still uses an interface that is more or less the same as Xiaomi Fitness. So for me who is familiar with Xiaomi wearable devices, this application does not feel awkward to use.
It's just a shame, this application is still cluttered with cards that are cluttered on the screen so that it hurts my eyes and I'm not comfortable looking at it. I'm more comfortable with apps like Google Fit or even the neater Mobvoi.
The most disappointing thing this time is that the screen quality is no longer as good as the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro which is brighter, clearer and looks more premium. It feels like there is a downgrading of the screen technology on the GTR 4. The haptic rotary knob is quite sensitive and easy to move even if accidentally touched, making my big hand tickle every time the vibration happens.
This watch is also quite light and feels cheap. True, this is not a Pro model and not sure if a Pro version will be sold later. It's just that with a selling price approaching RM800, it makes me want something more than what Amazfit offers.
Wearing this watch is like wearing a basic Realme or Xiaomi smart watch only with the difference only in the ability of the sensor. In addition, the voice command feature through its own digital assistant that I really like to use on Wear OS and watchOS cannot be used on Zepp OS well because it is not smooth enough (standalone version) and access to Amazon Alexa is not officially supported in Malaysia.
Battery
Like the previous Amazfit GTR 3 Pro, the battery life is only around 4 days. This is with extreme use such as answering phone calls, non-stop notifications, always-on sensors and wearing it while sleeping. Compared to its competitors, the GTR 4 has a fairly good durability compared to, for example, the Apple Watch SE can only last up to 2 days.
If I change the way I use it, like turn off non-essential notifications, turn off the 24-hour sensor reading, or answer phone calls less through the watch I'm sure there's no problem for the battery to last up to a week. If all smart modes are turned off and only clock mode is used, the GTR 4 can last up to 50 days according to Amazfit.
We didn't have time to test the truth because we felt it would make no sense to use a smart watch as just a normal watch. Better to buy a cheaper Casio G-Shock that is more durable and the battery lasts for years.
The charging of this watch is still a magnetic type with its own cable without wireless charging support. It also does not support fast charging and takes around two hours to fully charge.
In the box
Here's what you get with every purchase of the Amazfit GTR 4 in Malaysia.
1x Amazfit GTR 4.
1x Watch strap (ready to install).
1x USB-A to magnetic charging cable
1x Manual.
Conclusion
The Amazfit GTR 4 is undeniably a pretty good smartwatch. A flat screen with a smooth touch and beautiful and bright. Having speakers for alarms and notifications that are loud enough, can answer and make phone calls with clear audio and fast performance with sensor capabilities on par with the Apple Watch. The sale price is also cheaper than last year, this may be because there is no longer a Pro model. However, there is a sacrifice in the build quality that feels cheaper.
Although this watch is good, the selling price of RM829 makes it a bit expensive for me. This sale price is expensive because the Apple Watch Series 6 which has more features including ECG can be bought at a comparable price.
But if you want a watch with good sensor capabilities, the Amazfit GTR 4 is an affordable alternative compared to Garmin, Suunto and others that sell for more than RM1000.
Pro
Smooth and fast performance.
Easier to use interface.
Rotary knob with haptic effect.
Apple Watch-equivalent data monitoring and tracking.
Long battery life.
Cons
A messy Zepp OS application.
Digital assistants have difficulty hearing voice commands.
The build is no longer as premium as the GTR 3 Pro.
Relatively expensive selling price compared to more powerful competitor watches.